The Raleigh Strika was another bike that was made to look like a motorbike along with bikes like the Raleigh Chopper or the Huffy Thunder Road.
The Strika was extremely heavy and chunky though and actually felt like a motorbike. The front forks had immitation suspension and the foam saddle was huge making it really look the part as well.
Despite its ungainly appearance and handling qualities the Raleigh Strika remains one of my favourite bikes ever because when you rode this bike you knew that whatever (or whoever) got in your way you would be flattened. Kinda like the monster truck of bicycles really.
Do You Remember Raleigh Strika?
Do You Remember Raleigh Strika?
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Matthew
on
I was the proud owner of a blue and yellow Strika XL which i immediatly removed the metal mudguards from and learned how to do wheelies,bunny hops and all manner of dangerous tricks including jumping off ramps which would have had Evel Kneivel soiling his pants. How i didn't kill myself on that bike is still a mystery to me considering the last couple of years i had it with no brakes! It also developed a clank on the pedal which i never did anything about.Did anyone ever colour in the lettering on their tyres with chalk?
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prestodigitator
on
oh yeah, mine was the Silver one, which i thank my lucky stars for, because my mate had the green one and the pedal back brake meant that he had to put his feet up when 'free wheeling' down hill and risk a massive tumble every time he tried to get his feet back on the pedals at the bottom. You'll know what i mean if you had one of them! Happy dayzzzz
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prestodigitator
on
I had one of these fellas..It was, as previously mentioned, totally indestructible. My mates and i used to set up ramps with some bricks and plywood and jump over each other on our bikes. Bl**dy crazy looking back! I was about 7 years old, jumping over 3 or 4 people lying down on the TAMAC PAVEMENT on my Strika!
Yes, we used to come off a lot but that was part of growing up. Kids today, they don't know they're born etc etc.
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Anonymous
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I use to love my strika a memeroble x-mas present all those years ago.It was silver, heavy and had a peddle back brake which i loved putting on at top speed the back tyre would make a loud screeching noise leaving a long black line along the pavement grrrreat...
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Anonymous
on
hi all , i am usually found banging on about the grifter but i have just gone out and bought two strikas , a red one and a black one , they are great little bikes , and as everyone says , they are bomb proof , if you can get one for your kids , its worth it , as it will out last them
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Anonymous
on
Yes, there was a similar bike called a Boxer. I had a yellow one, and I think they also came in blue. The rear mud-guard was raised, giving it the appearance of a scrambler.
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Anonymous
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Hi me again. By the way, I'm from edinburgh.sheldon if that woz ur fluro green strika, i stole it. Sorry - but it rocked!
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Anonymous
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I took a green strika a few months ago from outside someones house in the rain waiting for the garbagemen to pick it up. i resprayed it as it was rusty but the bike was great fun and looked class. It got stolen by a chav and i miss it loads. Im currently looking for one on Ebay.
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Anonymous
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Just read the note about the noise the Strika made... Yes it made a cranking noise on every turn of the pedals !!! Mine was a silver one and I used to ride it up and down my road singing "Silver Dream Racer" by David Essex - I guess the film must have been out around the same time. I'm now 32 and have a little boy of 2. I'd love to get him a silver Strika in time for him to learn how to ride. Anyone know of one I could buy?? Cheers, Mark
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Anonymous
on
I had a fluro green Strika when I was a kid and have fond memories pulling ?pedal back? skids in the lane by my house. This bike was testament to Raleigh?s engineering as I used to try and skid as close to my neighbour?s Reliant Robin as possible but ended up on its bonnet. The Robin came of worst for wear but the little Strika had no damage. Sorry Roy (neighbour at that time) it was me!
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